Rob Franklin’s ‘Great Black Hope’: A Sharp, Satirical Look at Race and Wealth in America

Rob Franklin’s compelling debut, “Great Black Hope,” uses richly detailed, humor-laden prose that often bursts with sharp wit. Characters are vividly drawn with memorable quirks, such as one woman sporting an oversized blazer “borrowed” from her employer, evoking the image of a sophisticated caregiver, or another with artificial, excessively bright teeth that give him a comical, almost equine appearance.

The story centers on David Smith, a 25-year-old queer man from a prosperous Black family in Atlanta, raised among a circle of prep-school-educated peers. At the novel’s outset, David is grappling with grief after his roommate Elle’s tragic overdose in a Bronx park. Adding to his turmoil, David is arrested in the Hamptons for possession of a small amount of cocaine. As he navigates court proceedings filled with anxiety and moments of dark humor, media speculation surrounds Elle’s death, perpetuating racist and sexist stereotypes.

A significant source of tension in the narrative lies in the systemic challenges faced by people of color within the legal system. The novel briefly shifts focus to David’s grandmother, Gale, who became a lawyer after her cousin’s lynching in the 1940s, driven by a desire to protect her loved ones. Yet, by the 1980s, she witnesses the harsh realities of discriminatory drug sentencing policies that fueled the expansion of Black incarceration. This historical backdrop casts doubt on David’s chances of a fair trial and underscores the law’s longstanding bias against Black defendants.

As David strives for stability amid the ongoing investigation into Elle’s death, the novel’s humor takes on a darker edge without losing its sharpness. In court, David’s charges are announced with the detached tone of an auctioneer presenting an item for sale. His mother’s dramatic recounting of his alleged drug history, delivered with a flair reminiscent of television drama, adds a layer of satirical commentary.

One of the novel’s most biting critiques targets the forced therapeutic process David undergoes to secure a favorable plea deal. His counselor attributes David’s drug use to parental neglect, pigeonholing him as “the gay Black boy with the absentee father.” The irony is palpable—David’s father is actively involved, happily married to his mother, and a former university president. Nevertheless, David plays along with the stereotype to appease the counselor and improve his sentencing prospects.